Native Records signs deal with Def Jam

Less than a month after dropping their debut album dubbed, Nativeworld, an acclaimed music subsidiary, NATIVE Records has announced a joint exclusive partnership with US-based Def Jam Recordings.

The new deal, which was by Def Jam’s Chair/CEO, Tunji Balogun, would see the duo work together to sign and develop music talents across the African music diaspora. 

On their part, Seni Saraki and Teni Zaccheaus, co-presidents and co-founders of Native Networks, said they were delighted to be the first African company to sign a joint venture with Def Jam in its history.

Native Records is a Black-owned platform that was founded in 2016 by Saraki and Zaccheaus with Shola Fagbemi, Addy Edgal and Suleiman Shittu. It operates as the music branch of Native Networks and is dedicated to spotlighting the voices of underrepresented African artistes. 

“As we build a culture here at Def Jam that connects the best in the global black music diaspora – from hip-hop and R&B to reggae, afrobeat and more — clearly some of the best, most vital, interesting and cutting-edge new artists and sounds in music today are coming out of the continent,” said Balogun, in a public statement. 

“Seni, Teni and the Native crew have their fingers on the pulse of what’s really happening in the scene, as an engine for discovery, and as a hub for creators and artists. I’ve been a fan of their platform, and have been connected to the guys for some time. Our partnership feels authentic and natural, and I believe we’re going to discover and develop some amazing talent together.”

After achieving success with Nativeland, the company’s sold-out festival event, which has hosted J Hus, Dave, NSG and others for their first live performances in Nigeria, as well as their media imprint, NATIVE mag, the company plans to build a studio hub in Lagos to further nurture local artistes with their own platform, modelled after similar communities that have arisen in New York, Atlanta, New Orleans, Miami and so on.